Boxpark Shoreditch Wins Battle to Continue Music Amid Neighbour Dispute Over Noise Levels

The Boxpark in Shoreditch has successfully secured its right to play music during the night, despite complaints from local residents who have described the noise from the venue as a “tsunami”. Following a potential closure in 2025, the original Boxpark site at Bishopsgate Goodsyard, situated near Shoreditch High Street Station, will continue to host live music on its terrace. This decision comes after several residents urged Hackney Council to implement an outdoor noise ban or to limit the sale of alcohol at the venue.

A group of ten residents requested a formal review of Boxpark’s licensing, asserting that the establishment had become a persistent nuisance. They highlighted concerns over the behaviour of patrons who often spilled onto the streets of Shoreditch late at night, creating disturbances associated with noise, public urination, fights, and drug use. At a licensing committee meeting on 14 July, long-term resident Joanna Gray expressed that the noise was “intrusive and disruptive”, questioning Boxpark’s ability to responsibly hold its licence.

Concerns from Long-Term Residents

Another concerned resident pointed out that Boxpark’s expansive open-air bar and its exposed roof were atypical for the area, making it impossible to control noise levels effectively. Since its inception in 2011 as London’s first Boxpark, the venue has operated under a ‘meanwhile use’ scheme, which classifies its licence as a temporary arrangement. This status has further aggravated local residents, who argue that the venue was never intended to function as a bar and live music venue.

Louise Garrett, a representative for 150 residents in the broader Shoreditch area, stated that the complaints regarding noise predominantly came from longstanding residents like Ms. Gray, rather than from newcomers or those opposed to development. “We were informed that Boxpark would be a temporary fixture, yet it has been here for 14 years. It feels as if it has been imposed upon us without proper consideration,” she remarked. “The increase in late-night Temporary Event Notices (TENs) is becoming nearly unbearable.”

Boxpark’s Defence and Council Decision

In defence of the venue, Boxpark’s management maintained that their operating hours complied with local licensing policies and pointed out that there had been no violations of their premises licence. They noted that neither the police, local licensing authority, nor Environmental Health teams supported the residents’ claims. The management also highlighted that noise-limiting systems had been installed since 2023, with decibel limits established in consultation with local residents. They even offered to conduct noise testing in nearby flats to assess their sound systems, a proposal that residents declined on privacy grounds.

Ultimately, Hackney’s licensing sub-committee concluded that the noise levels in the vicinity could not be attributed solely to Boxpark. In a decision published on 28 July, the council opted against taking punitive measures against the venue, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to demonstrate that it was causing a public nuisance serious enough to justify revoking or suspending its licence. Instead, the committee mandated that Boxpark conduct regular community meetings every three months and establish a 24/7 helpline and email address for residents to voice their concerns.